Hey guys. Today I’m excited to introduce Jake Biondi, the author of BOYSTOWN, a continuing drama about a number of couples (some gay, some straight) living in the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago. I’m glad he accepted my invitation to be my guest blogger so he can tell you guys about his book and an exciting news involves Sean Cody porn star Ajay (aka Aaron Savvy)
What an honor to be invited to be a guest blogger on QueerMeNow to discuss my new book, BOYSTOWN, which is currently available in local bookstores as well as online at amazon.com and bn.com! I am very grateful.
BOYSTOWN is the continuing story of several couples living in Chicago’s famed BOYSTOWN neighborhood (recently named the country’s “most incomparable gay neighborhood” by readers of OUT Traveler Magazine and users of its website). The Mancini brothers — as well as their friends and significant others — are at the core of BOYSTOWN. Emmett Mancini, the youngest of the brothers, is a bright, caring guy whose boyfriend Keith Colgan has a past Emmett knows little about…yet. Derek Mancini, and his wife Joyelle, are BOYSTOWN’s straight couple…but a recent encounter with hunky Cole O’Brien could have life-altering consequences for Derek. And Justin Mancini, the oldest brother, arrives in BOYSTOWN in episode 9 and brings with him a family history that both Emmett and Derek were hoping to forget. Before long, BOYSTOWN’s newest residents Cole O’Brien and Jesse Morgan find themselves at the core of the drama and intrigue that makes up this adult playground.
BOYSTOWN has an interesting history. I have always been a huge fan of continuing dramas — whether they be classic ones such as the novels of Charles Dickens (which were released in magazines in weekly installments that always ended in cliffhangers to keep Dickens’ readers coming back for more) or more modern ones such as Dallas, Dynasty, Nashville and Revenge. I decided that I wanted to write a continuing saga that had gay characters at its core. Because Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood grows more and more diverse each year, the BOYSTOWN book reflects that diversity by featuring interesting characters with a variety of backgrounds.
I began BOYSTOWN in June as an online story and intended to release one “episode” online per month, each ending in a cliffhanger. The story became so popular — and the online reading audience grew so quickly — that people from all over the country began to email me demanding to know what happened to their favorite characters and wanting the episodes to be released faster. They also had suggestions for future storylines! I was surprised and excited by the readers’ response to BOYSTOWN. So I began to write more quickly and, by November, I had released 10 episodes and readers from all over America and overseas as well.
Readers then suggeested that I publish the first 10 episodes as a book rather than leaving them online. So I did — and BOYSTOWN Season One was born. The book was released in mid-November and is selling very well locally and nationally. In the meantime, I am continuing to write additional episodes. Episodes 11 – 20 will be released this Spring as BOYSTOWN Season Two.
Because of the popularity of the book, people have suggested that it be turned into a television series and I have begun to reach out to television networks and producers — and their response has been very positive.
Do you recognize the sexy man on the BOYSTOWN book cover? Yes — it’s none other than my good friend Aaron Savvy! I wrote the character of Cole O’Brien with Aaron (“Ajay” from SeanCody.com) in mind. Once the book was published, Aaron and I began to work together to publicize and market the book — and we are hoping that, should BOYSTOWN become a series, Aaron will be cast in the role of Cole. Aaron would bring a sense of heart and sexiness to the role and I know that fans would connect with him right away. Aaron is an amazing guy and I am so lucky to be working with him on BOYSTOWN.
In addition, my friend Billy Santoro has shown great interest in BOYSTOWN and has been kind enough to help promote the book and let me use his photos in book advertising. He, too, is a great guy to know.
I invite all of you to check out my book and let me know your thoughts. As I mentioned before, I rely on reader comments and suggestions to guide the future of BOYSTOWN characters and storylines.
BOYSTOWN is available on Amazon.com.
Once again I would like to thank QueerMeNow for the opportunity to blog — and I hope I will be invited back soon to discuss more about BOYSTOWN with you.
+ Ajay (Aaron Savvy) Is Back & Gets Fucked By Steven Bareback
Darkhog says
Nice interview and nice seeing Ajay again.
kevin says
The book cover is terrible…
Matt says
The book BOYSTOWN is amazing; just read it and can’t wait for Season Two. I highly recommend it. And Aaron Savvy on the cover is HOT! So are the characters in the book. This is a must-read!